Who could replace Harmanpreet Kaur as India captain?

Smriti Mandhana with Harmanpreet Kaur (Pic: BCCI)

Indian star Harmanpreet Kaur announced her decision to step back from captaincy, opening the door for other candidates to take over from her.

The announcement came after a review meeting held by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in Guwahati. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, head coach Amol Muzumdar, Harmanpreet, and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana attended the meeting.

Indian women's cricket has entered a transitional phase following her decision to relinquish her captaincy across all formats on Tuesday.

While Harmanpreet confirmed she will continue representing the country as a player, her departure leaves a massive leadership void at the top. Two seasoned Indian stars, Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma, have emerged as the primary contenders to take over the reins.

Smriti Mandhana is the favourite to take up the captaincy role

Smriti Mandhana stands as the most obvious successor for a seamless transition. Having served as the long-standing vice-captain, including holding the deputy role for India's 2026 Asian Games squad, the elegant left-handed opener possesses both experience and expressed readiness for the role.

Beyond international credentials, Mandhana boasts a strong domestic leadership resume, having guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to success in the Women's Premier League. Furthermore, her interim international record includes captaining India in 18 T20Is with 11 victories alongside a flawless 4-0 record across four ODI matches between 2019 and 2025.

While Mandhana holds the upper hand, Deepti Sharma presents a compelling alternative. As one of the team's most reliable all-rounders, Deepti offers an all-round capability with both bat and ball.

She has also gained valuable franchise leadership experience, stepping up to captain the UP Warriorz in the WPL during Alyssa Healy's absence. Her sharp tactical setup across various phases of a match makes her an attractive option for national selectors.

Despite Deepti's strong credentials, Mandhana's prior tenure as a vice captain, proven success when leading the side, and public commitment to the role place her firmly in the driver's seat.

Unless the selection panel opts for an unexpected choice, Smriti Mandhana remains the clear front-runner to lead Indian women's cricket into its next chapter, with Deepti continuing as a senior statesman in the team.